Squash racket



Feb. 14, 1928. i 659 308 B. V. ABBOTT SQUASH RACKET Filed April 30 1927 FIGI.

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Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED sTA'rEs BRITTON VAUGHAN ABBOTT, 0F EHILAbELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SQUASH BACKETN Application filed April 30, 1927. Serial No. 187,802.

My invention relates to squash rackets and has for its object to strengthen or reinforce the handle so as to prevent fracture thereof. Unlike tennis rackets, the type of racket used for squash playing has a relatively long and narrow handle which not infrequently breaks at a point below the throat and above the handle grip. l leretofore no satisfactory means have been devised for. substantially strengthening this portion of the racket without destroying its balance and resiliency.

With the foregoing in view I aim to pro vide a squash racket with reinforcement along the tapered portion of the handle and which possesses all the characteristics of balance and spring which are to be desired in such a racket.

Other advantages will be apparent from the detailed description of a typical embodiment of my invention which follows and which has reference to the drawings, in which: 1

Fig. l is a plan View of the racket.

Fig. H is an edge view of the racket.

Fig. III is an enlarged cross sectional view of the racket handle taken as indicated by the arrows llllill in Fig. l, and

Fig. 1V is an enlarged sectional view of the racket handle taken as indicated by the arrows lV-JV of Fig. I.

lVith reference first more particularly to Figs. 1 and II, the racket handle is comprehensively designated by the numeral The racket is made and assembled in a manner common to the manufacture of tennis and squash rackets, i. e. the continuous strip of wood 3 is bent around a suitable form in such a manner that it is given the desired shape of the racket frame, the two ends of the strip being glued together to form the handle.

Before the two ends of the strip are joined complemental grooves or slots 6 are cut into the contiguous faces of thestrip 3 lengthwise of the handle to form a convenient seat or cavity for the reinforcing element 7 which is preferably of comparatively thin spring steel or like flexible material and glued or otherwise firmly secured in place. It will be observed that the seat or cavity 6 does not extend throughout the entire length of the handle, but only comprehends the tapered portion which is obviously the weakest part of the racket.

' the The throat piece or wedge 4: is centrally slotted to accommodate the upper end of the reinforcing member 7 and is secured in position in the frame by means of a screw 5 or other suitable fastening means. Inasmuch as the reinforcing member 7 penetrates only the lower portion of the wedge d, it does not interfere with the insertion of the screw 5. At the same time, however, the element 7 re inforces the narrowest portion of the handle 1, this being the part of the racket in which a fracture is most likely to occur.

lin assembling the racket, the frame 3, the reinforcing member 7 and the wedge d are preferably glued together and held under compression until firmly bound. As shown the reinforcing strip 7 isso located that it will not come in contact with any of the 2. A. racket of the character described having its handle reduced at the juncture with racket head, and a metal reinforcement within said reduced region, said reinforcement being flexible at right angles to the plane of the racket head. i

3. in a racket of the character described,

the combination of a continuous strip formmg the head and handle of said racket, and

a flat flexible reinforcement centrally disposed within and surrounded by the said handle.

4. In a racket of the character described, the combination with a continuous strip forming the head and handle of said racket, of a wedge at the junction of the head and handle, and a flexible metal reinforcement extending throughout the upper portion of the handle and penetrating the lower por tion of said wedge. A 4

5. In squash racket of the character described, the combination with a continuous strip forming the head and handle of said racket and having a longitudinal slot extending throughout the upper portion of the fihandle, of a Wedge at the junction of the head and handle centrally slotted throughout its lower portion, and a spring steel reinforcing member engaging in the aforesaid slots whereby the handle is reinforced without destroying the flexibility oi? the racket. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 25th day of April, 1927.

BRITTON VAUfiJ-IAN A BBOTP. 

